I received an ARC via netgalley for an honest review.
Here's my (probably) slightly controversial review...
As a Girls school librarian I really wanted to love this book, but, I just didn't.
I believe in its worth but I wanted more from most of the stories... I thought the writing was excellent and I just wanted more. I felt as if each story was just and opening chapter with no conclusions, so whilst the 3 stars may seem harsh I just had high hopes for this and it just didn't deliver enough.
I would still probably hold a copy in the school library and encourage students to look at it and make their own decisions - hopefully some will disagree with me!

A nice addition to a YA library, specially as it focuses on stories about diverse girls by the girls themselves. A good read to spark debate among teens. My only negative is that the stories feel a bit old.

This is a powerful collection of narratives written by a diverse group of young women. However, this compilation would have had a stronger impact if the essays were grouped by theme. The essays cover issues that run the gamut from the ending of a friendship to systemic racism in our society. Yet they appear to be arranged in no apparent order. Additionally, there were a number of grammatical errors, which is a drawback for educators seeking to use these essays as examplars in the classroom. Ultimately, this is a worthy publication that features admirable young females writers using their voices to tell stories that are more important than ever.

Filled with multi-cultural stories from girls living in the United States, the stories all share common themes of teenage angst, family issues, fitting in/self-image and more. These teenage authors write with exquisite voice and prose in a relatable format for teen readers. I can't wait to recommend this book to my readers. #netgalley #girlswritenow

Sectioned off by quotes from strong female writers like Roxane Gay, Zadie Smith, and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, this collection of girls’ letters is both heartening and heartbreaking.
Authentic, strong (although insightful and empathetic) girls voice their thoughts on having a voice, independence, and maintaining identity.
This book would be a powerful weapon in the hands of a female teen — I know I myself could have used a strong female influence from a book of real writers with lives similar and different from my own. They’d have spoken to me: “It’s okay if you’re going through this and it’s okay if you’re not—what matters is YOU being you, not being what everyone else wants.” I needed to hear that daily as a teen, even though in reality I did not.
I think this read will be powerful for young readers, but even as an adult I found it meaningful and inspiring.